Month: July 2018

3 Popular Kitchen Countertop Trends for 2018

Every time you look at one of your countertops, you feel a tinge of disappointment. They aren’t what you want them to be and they definitely don’t properly reflect the design and style of the home you’ve worked so hard to create. You haven’t made any efforts to replace those old, ugly counters with new ones yet because you don’t have the time to figure out what works.

Well, we’re here with some countertop inspiration. If you’re ready to finally upgrade your kitchen countertops, here are some trending tips for kitchen design in 2018.

Go quartz

When it comes to modern countertops, there are so many different materials that you can use, which is why you’ve had such a hard time picking one. Wood has reappeared in the past few years, but you aren’t sure if that’s the right choice for your kitchen. Granite has always been a popular choice, and natural stone can really class up your space. However, this year, more homeowners are opting for the clean and stylish appearance of quartz instead. Quartz is becoming increasingly popular due to its elegance and aesthetics, on top of the fact that it is one of the most hygienic options and doesn’t require re-sealings. That means it is super resistant to stains as well. Quartz can even come in multiple colors and patterns, which means you can match it exactly to your kitchen decor.

Go for character

Today, many homeowners are looking for character in their countertops. Veining and burl patterns are becoming more of a popular demand with homeowners everywhere due to their unique ability to draw the eye. They also add a bit more personalization and character to the kitchen as well. In general, homeowners are looking for accent features that draw the eye.

Ditch the bright colors

Bright colors are on their way out of kitchens all over the world, so it’s time to forget about millennial pink, mint, and summer pastels. Homeowners are instead choosing to utilize more neutral tones and colors. Neutral colors can easily fit into any home decor and create a uniform yet visually appealing accent to any kitchen. The transition to neutral colors and tones is typically matched with lots of natural lighting to give the perception of a much larger space.

When it comes to kitchen remodeling projects, 95% of homeowners update their countertops, making it the most popular feature to upgrade. Whatever your choice for countertop material, don’t feel as though you have to follow this advice. You can opt for soapstone, laminate, bright colors, and patternless options if you want to. If you still aren’t sure which direction to go, then it might help to consult an expert to make your kitchen look absolutely flawless.

Keep Cool And Carry On: How To Keep Your Costs Down This Summer

Summer’s nearly here and the temperature continues to rise. Soon, your air conditioning unit will be running day in and day out to keep your family cool.

Unfortunately, there’s nothing cool about a high electric bill at the end of each summer month. But how can you keep your cooling costs down without sweating the summer heat?

How To Beat The Summer Heat While Keeping Your Cooling Costs Down

Some homeowners believe you need to suffer through the heat to keep your cooling costs down. But that’s not true.

You can keep your family comfortable this summer by following these three tips:

  1. Make sure your HVAC system is ready to run. Approximately 42% of homeowners will call a professional to perform HVAC maintenance. Yet, many homeowners will wait until their system needs an HVAC repair before calling a professional. Waiting to get a repair done can make your air conditioning unit work harder to cool down your home. The harder your AC works, the higher your electric bill. That said, have a professional take a look at your system before the summer officially starts.
  2. Set your AC a degree or two higher. It may be uncomfortable to set your HVAC system to 78 degrees Fahrenheit instead of 72. So instead of making yourself sweat to save money, set your system only a few degrees higher. You won’t have to worry about sweating through your clothes, but you won’t have to worry about your bills as much either.
  3. Save cleaning activities for the evening. It can be tempting to get your housework done during the day. But your home can quickly become an oven with so many machines running. When your washing machine, dishwasher, and oven are all going at the same time, you can really heat up the house. This makes your HVAC system work overtime to keep things cool. Try to keep your housework to the evening when the sun’s gone down and isn’t cooking your home. You can also do your dishes by hand to keep the dishwasher from heating up your house.

Having Fun With Landscaping

A home is where the heart is. That is the old cliche and as overused as it is, it is absolutely true. The home is a multifaceted organism that really does affect how we feel and how we act far more than we think. The energy of a home is a real thing and can hurt or help mental health depending on how the home feels and looks. People are so much more malleable than we think and by changing one little thing we really can make differences in our own lives. But what, you might ask, goes into a home when building it? How do we find ourselves considering a home a home especially if its old or just newly built for us? There are plenty of answers to that question, each a little different than the last. For some people, a home is where they feel safe and loved. For others, a home is a place of peace away from the chaos of the world. Ask twenty different people what they consider to be a home and you are going to get twenty completely separate responses to the question. An accountant Continue reading “Having Fun With Landscaping”

Finding All the Right Professional Plumbing Services

In today’s world, indoor plumbing is not just a convenience. It is a necessity. It is a crucial factor for health and sanitation in any residential property or business. But let’s be honest. Most of us don’t give a second thought to the details about how a plumbing system works. We just take plumbing and plumbing services for granted…that is, until the system does not work any more.

What happens when you need a sewer repair service, or it’s time for replacing a water heater in your home or business? Then, in an instant, plumbing, water heaters and toilet repairs shoot to the top of the priority list because that clogged toilet needs immediate attention–and you are not a sewer repair professional.

Since you are not the professional in this area, you might need some help. But finding the right plumber is not easy. So what next? You call a plumbing service and a profe Continue reading “Finding All the Right Professional Plumbing Services”

What To Consider For A Home Addition

Have you ever wanted to change up things in your home? What about adding that family room you’ve wanted or that extra room for the in-laws? According to a recent survey, almost two-thirds of homeowners are planning on renovating their home. If that’s you, consider the many home addition designs and options before starting. According to the 2016 U.S. Houzz and Home survey, over sixty percent of homeowners on Houzz plan to include a recreational area like a gaming room in their newly-built custom home.

There are a variety of ways to enhance or change your home. You could add a garage or even a deck. A home addition design could be a deck cover design, and interior home addition or a remodeled basement. The possibilities are endless. However, deciding on a design is only the beginning. Renovating your home can be stren Continue reading “”

6 Things You Can Do To Spruce Up Your Backyard

When it comes to a keeping a well-maintained home, landscaping holds an important place in the hearts of many Americans.

In 2016, the U.S. Lawn Care industry saw $77 billion worth of revenue and retail sales of lawn care supplies are projected to reach $6.6 billion in 2019. Those numbers alone indicate that Americans are more than willing to spend big on landscape materials.

Eighty million households in the United States have private lawns and 83 percent of Americans think having a yard is important. What’s more, 90 percent of those surveyed think it’s important to have a yard that’s well-maintained. In fact, the average American spends an average of four hours per week taking care of their lawn. That’s more than 200 hours per year that the average person spends making their lawn look its best.

To make your yard sparkle and shine, here are some landscapin Continue reading “6 Things You Can Do To Spruce Up Your Backyard”

5 Clever Ways to Use River Rock Around Your Home

River rock is extremely popular among homeowner. That being said, river rock isn’t the same thing as the gravel you’re likely thinking of. River rock is typically one to two inches in diameter and has a smooth surface. While you might have heard that there are many uses for landscaping rocks, it’s important to remember these pieces of washed and smoothed gravel are also extremely useful. Considering that, here are five surprising uses for river rock in and outside of your home.

  1. Creating a River Rock Walkway

    Statistics gathered from the 2017 Houzz Landscape Pathways Study found that 38% of those who own a home are currently upgrading pathways, driveways, and similar areas utilizing crushed gravel and rocks. Utilizing this type of gravel isn’t the same m Continue reading “5 Clever Ways to Use River Rock Around Your Home”